The Indiana Department of Corrections, sued by and Odinist inmate in federal court, has been given 30 days to comply with RLUIPA. Odinists must now be afforded the rights of group worship in Indiana state prisons. Indiana is one of several states to recently lose in federal court over its failure to comply with the act.
A bear-worshipping indigenous minority of northern Japan are to receive official recognition, a move that will end 140 years of enforced assimilation and discrimination.
The Ainu, the original inhabitants of Hokkaido island, were conquered by Japan in the mid-1800s and forcibly assimilated into Japanese culture.
This years theme will be based around the concept of “Life as a Viking”. Classes will focus on the lifestyles of the Vikings; we will look at traditional foods, clothes, shelters and modes of travel and trade. We will also learn about the Vikings Pre-Christian faith, called Odinism, in classes such as Havamal and Religion.
Classes include:
Language, Havamal, Textiles, Art, Music, Mythology/Folklore/Legends, Drama, Nine Noble Virtues, Cooking, Religion, and plenty of Recreational activities (swimming, hiking, games, etc…) just for fun!
At the end of the week we will open up the camp to the community to showcase the children’s accomplishments!
For full details please see event flyer and brochure.
Please note that this camp is open to non OR/Acorn Hollow children.
A row has erupted within the Church of England over calls for British Muslims to be converted to Christianity.
The Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, accused the Church of failing in its duty to “welcome people of other faiths” ahead of a motion at July’s General Synod in York urging a strategy for evangelising Muslims.
However, his comments were condemned by senior figures within the Church. The Rt Rev Stephen Lowe, the former Bishop of Hulme and the newly appointed Bishop of Urban Life and Faith, said: “Both the Bishop of Rochester’s reported comments and the synod private members’ motion show no sensitivity to the need for good inter-faith relations. Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs are learning to respect one another’s paths to God and to live in harmony. This demand for the evangelisation of people of other faiths contributes nothing to our communities.”
It is a physical workout enjoyed by millions and its devotees include Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Sting. But yoga enthusiasts have been warned by a leading Roman Catholic clergyman that they are in danger of being possessed by the Devil.
Father Jeremy Davies, exorcist for Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, the leader of Catholics in England and Wales, says that activities such as yoga, massage therapy, reiki or even reading horoscopes could put people at risk from evil spirits.
A group of Russians have set up a village where they live on their home-grown food and practice pre-Christian Slavic traditions. Their lifestyle is just a short train ride away from Moscow.
The people in Popovka village have traded modern civilisation for age-old traditions and the mercy of nature. They welcome the summer with an ancient Slavic rite, and feed idols with bread, milk and oil to ask for a plentiful harvest.
He drifted away from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one of the world’s newest religions. He discovered his spiritual home in Asatru, one of the oldest.
| Faith is where you find it Bart |
Odinist.net, the premier Odinist web forum, has turned one year old this month. With dynamic discussions and a diverse crowd, Odinist.net is a must stop for any Odinist. Check it out and become part of the community!
From OPS, happy birthday Odinist.net
PRISON officers have been ordered to allow Pagan prisoners to take twigs into their cells to use as magic wands.
The ruling has been announced as part of a prisons policy that requires Pagan prisoners to have the same rights as prisoners of other religions.